Gauging device



Aug. 4, 1953 Filed Feb. 26, 1949 W. F. ALLER ET AL GAUGING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,n BY

Aug. 4, 1953 w F. ALLER ETAL GAUGING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 26, 1949 Aug. 4, 1953 w. F. ALLER ET AL 2,647,456

GAUGING DEVICE Filed Feb. 26, 1949 5 Shee'S-Sheet 3 JNVENToRs 2% mi BY /4 M .7 ha] Aug. 4, 1953 w. F. ALLER ET Al.

GAUGING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 26, 1949 1N V EN TOR5 Aug. 4,V 1953 Filed Feb. 26, 1949 W. F. LLER ET AL GAUGING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 fatented Aug. 4, 1953 GAUGING DEVICE Willis Fay Aller and Anthony J. Page, Dayton, Ohio, assignors to The Sheffield Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application February 26, 1949, Serial No. 78,508

7 Claims. (Cl. lOl- 43) This invention relates to gauging apparatus and more particularly to apparatus for gauging articles and selecting and marking the articles according to size.

In accordance with the present invention an article is supplied to a gauging station where the actual gauging takes place, and dependent upon the results obtained in the gauging station the articles are marked according to the size range or ranges of the dimension or dimensions checked. In its preferred form, the marking means includes a device having a series of different characters indicative of different article dimensions, these diierent characters being automatically selected and applied to the article. There is also provision in the supply means for properly arranging the article so that it can move in the proper manner to the gauging station. Where the article is a piston, for example, the piston pin hole is thus automatically brought into approximate alignment with the direction of the supply movement of the article and the article is then accurately positioned for gauging during its movement into gauging position. The articles in their travel to the gauging position are moved by a moving mechanism which is power driven so as to reciprocate back and forth, there being provision for automatically disabling the moving mechanism in case the article itself is improperly positioned or in case the hand of the operator is ahead of the article.

It is thus one object of the invention to provide a gauging apparatus having marking means provided with a series of different characters indicative of diierent article dimensions under the automatic control of the gauging means so that the proper marking is applied to the article.

Another object is the provision of a gauging apparatus of the character mentioned in which the marking means has a series of different characters indicative of different article dimensions, the characters being automatically brought into proper position adjacent the article ready for application to the article and then automatically applied to the article while the article is in gauging position.

`Another object is the provision of an article gauging device having means for approximately locating the article as it is applied at the loading station and additional means for accurately positioning the article for gauging during movement of the article to the gauging position, a further object being the provision of means for automatically disabling the moving means-that supply the article to the gauging position in case of improper arrangement of the article or the hand of the operator.

Another object is the provision of a gauging apparatus for gauging a number of different dimensions and selecting some of those dimensions according to different size ranges and automatically stamping markings on the article to indicate the different size ranges of some of the dimensions, with provision for disabling the stamping mechanism in case any of the clifferent dimensions gauged are entirely outside of acceptable tolerances.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the appended claims, and the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view on a reduced scale of a gauging device embodying the present inf vention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale showing the gauging and supplying mechanism as viewed from the front of the gauge;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the gauging apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken above the level of the gauging apparatus some parts of which have been omitted for provision of clarity;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section through the piston and the piston arranger which approximately locates the piston in proper position for application to the gauging station;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the arranger;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the marking mechanism which applies a selected character to the article according to the selected size range in which the dimension checked falls;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view through the marking mechanism on line 8 8 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view through the marking mechanism, taken on line 9 9 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 10 is a detail of the stationary electrical connection means by which the proper character of the marking means is selected;

Fig. ll is a detail view on an enlarged scale showing how the electrical connection is made between the rotating brush and the non-rotating parts of the character selecting device of the marking means; l

Fig. 12 is a side View of a portion of the marking means showing how portions thereof are adapted for ready removal;

Fig. 13 is a horizontal sectional view through acivfiec the article in gauging position, illustrating the energizing or enabling switch which initiates a gauging cycle and showing the location of the diameter gauging holes for checking the piston skirt outside diameter; and

Fig. le is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical connections of the various parts of the gauging apparatus.

Referring more particularly to the drawing in which the same reference numerals have been applied to the several views, the gauging ap paratus in the particular embodiment herein illustrated is one adapted for gauging and selecting diierent dimensions of `a `piston of an engine or the like, although it will 4be obvious that various features of the invention are equally applicable to gauging applications vfor Vother articles of various sizes and shapes. Furthermore, it will be understood that while the embodiment of the invention which will be described herein includes different `gauging elements for Agauging the y.depth and width of piston ring grooves, ythe skirt diameter, and r`the diameter of the two piston pin openings and for marking the :piston accor-ding to ve different `size classifications of the skirt diameter and for .three different classi iications `of .the pin hole diameter, other classications can .be employed or some of the gauging elements omitted in accordance with the particular character of results to be obtained and in accordance with the .particular article to `be gauged.

The gauging apparatus in general comprises a main support il] on which hinged doors .H are provided lto normallyclose and protect the gaugil."

ing mechanism, vthese .doors providing a front opening as will be apparent from Fig. 1 through which :the .articles are supplied to the gauging station. Above the `support :It .is an electrical control panel l2 carrying the electrical coils, re-

lays 4and the like forming .a part .of the gauging system, the frontof :the panel serving as a supn port zforsignal lamps and preferably .carrying a representation of the article showingthedinferent elements which are to be gauged.

As .will be apparent from Figs. 3, li, 5, and 6, a ypiston lf. is Aapplied at the loading station l by .merely .dropping it Aon a feed sli-de i6 which is reciprocally operable along a guideway IE on the support XIEB. This feed slide has an upwardly projecting arranging device `i8 that loosely receives lthe vvopen Alower end `of the piston, this device having side arms 'i9 :each provided with a groove vor passage y 'in line with the piston pin opening. The width \of these side arms i9 is somewhat `less than :the ,distance between the piston pin bosses and while `there is some `substantial clearance .between the piston pin bosses and .the Yside arms 119, the rotational movement permitted Ithe piston when it is on the slide I6 is limited so that the Ypiston lpin opening is generally in alignment with ,the direction of travel of the piston as it moves towards the gauging station. The-upper portions 4of the arms i9 are tapered, as indicated 'in Fig. 3, for cooperation with the klower rounded kportions lof Vthe ,piston pin bosses, in order to rotate thepiston automatically as the piston is `,dropped in place, if the piston `pin opening is not generally in alignment with the `direction Yof feeding movement. ,The operator is therefore relieved of the problem of arranging the piston in any `particular manner except that he mustqpplyit with `the piston head uppermost, and as it ,iS :dropped fon the ,feeding slide, the karranging device pcniunction vwith the side guide bars 22 properly arrange the piston so that the piston pin opening 23 will necessarily enter the tapered outer end of a gauging spindle 2li which is located at the gauging station as will be further described. As the piston moves on to the gauging spindle which has only a very limited clearance with respect to the piston pin opening, the piston is picked up a few thousandths of an inch off of the slide 16 and Aaccurately arranged so it will be properly applied in a predetermined position to the gauging station.

The feed slide I6 is continuously driven back and forth by means of two feed cams 26 and 2 fixed on a shaft `28 which is operated through suitable gearing in a gear chamber 29 driven by a pulley @il which is belted to a drive motor 3| omitted in Fig. 3 but illustrated in Fig. le. Cams 26 and 2 are respectively engaged by rollers on rock arms 32 and 33 both of which are fixed to a lever Sii which is pivotally connected at 35 to a plate 36. -Slidable in the plate 3S is a jbar 3? 'having a notch ,3;8 engaged by ,a toe 39 in lever 40. yLever il@ is pivoted at 1H on the plate 36 so that normally the toe 39 is engaged in fthe notch 38 under the pressureof a .Spring #l2 which is strong enough to 'hold the parts firmly to one another in Vnormal `operations and cause the bar '37 to move back and forth in a substantially positive manner.

The bar 3-1 is pivotally connected ,by a pin d4 to the lower vend of the feed slide 15 as .Shown in Fig. 3. However, there is linterposed between the end of the bar -'i y,which is .connected to vthe lower end ofthe fixed slide and the other portion of the bar which -is connected to the `plate 36, a telescopic spring pressed .connection 45 `which permits limited movement of the plate connected portion of :the bar in a direction towards Vthe right, as viewed in Fig. 53, when the piston Ais in gauging position so that :the piston is finally .applied in gauging position runder fa substantially uniform spring pressure.

The lower side of Vthe Joar 35'! has shoulders .d'1 adapted, at times, 'to vbe engaged by a ,toe '48 on a lever i9 pivotalli :mounted :at 5,93 on the support, when the lever i9 is moved up from its :normal positionshown in Fig.f3. ,If the lever 41-10 is moved up during the feeding movement of Lthe ypiston before the 4piston reaches the gauging position in which it is 'shown in Fig.,3,zit will :be apparent that the :toe 4 8 engaging one of :the `shoulders 47 will positively stop movement of the :bar 3.7i .and under these conditions the :toe 39 of lever 40 will ride out of the notch 38 lduring the continued movement of arm ,3Q towards :the right. The toe kv39, however, ywill automatically pick up tits engagement withthefnotch 133 on itsireturnmovement and ,reconnect itself and .continue normal operation of the .bar .-'3'1 -if the lever '4B in the meantime has lbeen lowered out .of engagement with lug 4i. A `link 52 is pivotally connected lto the lever 49 and 1to a bent lever 253 pivotally mounted at 5401i ,the support t0. fLever i53 :extends upwardly .fand `is :fixed toa vrelease bar f which extends across lthe .-pa-th of ,feeding vmovement ,of'the :piston from loading station Vto gauging station above the normal'level of the ,piston if the-Distonjsproperly applied .to Ithe arranging device 1.8. In its normal movement jto gauging position, ythe piston will thus have fno contact withithe release :bar .i513 ibut yif its piston' pin :bosses are just lbalanced -on the upper yportions nof :the side .arms -I9 ,of A.the .arranging device with the piston lpin opening :9 0 degrees .from ,its ,proper position. r,then the .upper sportion O f the 4.piston will be moved against the bar 56 as the piston moves `towards gauging position, forcing the bar 56 to the right and thus lifting link 52 and raising arm 49 so that the toe 48 engages and stops the bar ,3l and temporarily disables the feeding mechanism. When the toe 39 picks up notch 36 in its return travel towards the left as viewed in Fig. 3, it will move the feed slide back to loading position and the jostling action given to `the piston in this movement will jar the piston sufficiently so it will drop down to its proper position. If it should not do so, the operator can of .course reposition the piston, but that has been found unnecessary except under extraordinary conditions.

The release bar 56 is also effective to prevent injury to the hands of the operator in case he should have his hand or ngers on the advancing side of the piston or between the piston and the bar at a time when the piston is moving towards gauging position, for in that case the lingers of the operator rather than the upper portion of the piston will engage and push back the bar 56 and thus disable the power feed. It will be understood that the lugs 4l on the bar 3l are so positioned as to be ready for prompt engagement with the toe 48 when either the piston or the ngers of the operator are forced against the bar 56.

A stop pin 51 on the support i6 prevents counterclockwise movement of lever 53, as viewed in Fig. 3, thus holding it in normal position against the force of gravity.

The gauging mechanism eiective at the gauging station will now be described. This gauging mechanism comprises a pair of opposed air nozzles 59, see Fig. 13, located in guide plates 60 which are arranged in line with and behind the guide bars 22. These nozzles are near the lower end of the piston skirt and diametrically opposed with respect to the piston when the latter is in gauging position. The lamount of air supplied under pressure to the gauging nozzles 59 and leaking between the nozzles and the pis ton depends upon the diameter of the piston skirt and the amount of this air leakage is gauged by a plurality of switch controlling air gauges 6 I, 62, and 63, all controlled in accordance with the pressure obtaining at the air jets. These switch controlling gauges may be of the character disclosed in Patent 2,448,653, granted September 7, 1948. Each switch controls two contacts both of which are closed if the dimension of the article g-auged is within a predetermined size range for which the contacts have been adjusted, the size ranges being diierent for the diierent switches so that five different selections are obtainable within the limits of permissible maximum and minimum limits. These-three switches as will be presently explained control the selection o i the proper characterA to be marked on the -article gauged by the application of a stamp which inks or imprints the character on the article. For this purpose, where ve diierent selections are to be provided, the stamp is provided with characters numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 `and 5 although various other characters may be used representative of the different size ranges.

The diameter of the piston pin holes is gauged by annular air jets 66 and 61 in the air gauging spindle 24|, these jets communicating with air pressure controlled gauging switches 68, 69, and 1| similar to switches 6| to 63. l The air jet 66 controls the operation of switches 68 and 16 Whilevair jet .61 controls switches 69 and 1|. Each pair of switches communicating with one of these air jets provides for three selections within the tolerance of the piston pin diameter as well as providing for rejection of oversize and undersize holes that fall outside of the tolerance limits. These switches control marking devices that -apply one, two or three ink dots on the piston skirt as will be further explained.

When the piston is placed in gauging position in the gauging station, one of the piston ring grooves is adapted to receive a roller I3 if the groove is wide enough, without forcing this roller rearwardly. The roller is arranged on an -arm 'I4 pivotally mounted at 15 and having a projection 'i6 that opens a normally closed microswitch if the piston ring groove width is less than a predetermined minimum tolerance requirement, for in that case the piston ring groove will not be wide enough to receive the roller 13.

When the piston is applied to the gauging station it comes up against a stop lug 80, see Fig. 3, which is xed on a block 8| rigid with the support I0. In this position of the piston a part of the piston wall pushes rearwardly on a lever 82, see Figs. 13 and 14, closing a normally open microswitch 33 which energizes the gauging circuits as will be presently described.

The diameter of each piston ring groove is gauged by means of `a pair of opposed gauging feelers and 86 which are spaced apart a dis-v tance dependent upon the diameter of the groove, operating the gauging plunger 81 of a double contact gauging switch 88 prefer-ably of the character disclosed in Patent 2,254,812, granted September 2, 1941, the manner in which the gauging feelers 85 and 86 are supported for yielding movement also being disclosed in that patent. It will be understood that a pair of opposed gauging feelers is provided for each ring groove, each pair of feelers controlling its respective gauging switch 88,89, 90 and 9|. i

The roller '13, asv previously mentioned, is controlled to operate the switch Il if the groove width is too small. To check the groove width` and make sure it is not too large there is a gauging feeler 93 for each groove. Each of these feelers is carried on a spring supported arm 94, the

feeler 93 being slightly thicker than the acceptable maximum width of the ring groove so that it will normally be `pressed back by the piston to operate a microswitch 95, one for each feeler, except when it is permitted to enter the groove due to the groove being too wide. Thus the 1ingers 93 oper-ate in conjunction with the roller 'i3 so that together they determine that the grooves are of such width as to fall within the maximum and minimum tolerance limits permtted, or to fall outside of those limits.

The marking mechanism employed for marking the several skirt diameter selections on the top of the piston is illustrated in Figs. '7 and l2,

and as shown in those gures, the several char--A acters, namely, the numbers l to 5, corresponding to the ve selections produced, are arranged in the form of projections on a stamping roller |00 which rolls in contact with an inking roll |0|. This inking roll is preferably .a readily removable ink saturated pad, freely rotatable on the. shaft |02. A retaining plate |93, see Figs. 8 and l2, may be swung back after loosening the ho1d,

ing screw 04 and permit endwise removal of the inking pad. A spring blade |95 is xed at one end on a bracket |06 that carries the inking mechanism on the support I0. The other end of the spring blade engages a supporting arm |01.

aei'mtc pivotally `.mounted at .m8, and the arm A03 is mounted at one end .of rarm Mill so .that the ing roll is yielding-ly held down against .-the nia-rking `-ro-ll, tension spring l|09 tending to counter balance the weighto the inking roll.

The normal position .of the marking roll is as shown in Figs. 3, 7 and .8, being .slightly ele* Vated .above the top .of .the piston. This :coll :is ixed on .a `shaft il@ :by spring .pressed retaining arms M3 .and is rotatable in the .outer ends =otf two spaced carrying .arms fl-H .and M2 rigidly con nected together, the Aother .ends `ozf @these Aarms being .mounted for pivctable movement `on a shaft |.f|3 Acarried .in bearings M4 .arranged .on the bracket |1516. lThe arm M2 is yprovided with van upwandly extending portion Mii having a slot l li receiving an .operating :pin 1HE in `the `end .of a link H9 v-is .operated lby asolenoid .1i 2.6, -sec Fig. '7. When the .solenoid is energized it Amoves the flink 11.9 to .the let as viewed in Fig. -7 beyond the lposition of the parts shown. It will .thus Apull the :extension M6 of the arm lili? and `move the arm y.cnuntercloclrwise yso as .to ydepress ,the mar-lring roll 1| 0l) :and :apply a .selected @character to the top of the piston. Thus .a character suchas 1,2, 3, 4 and .5 will .be inked .on the piston according to the size of the .skirt diameter. 4As the ro'll |00 moves .downwardly it travels away from the 'inking roll temporarily .but it yieldingly energiacs the inking roll on a return movement when .the solenoid :|2 `is deenergized and .the lever arms Hal 'and H2 are .pulled upwardly by the return spring 121|, see Fig '7.

.Carried by the top of the bracket it@ is van electric motor 123 which .operates a pulley |24 'con` nected by .belt i toa drive Wheel 12;6. 'This drive wheel is iixed :to a .drive shaft siii-i .and .a friction drive "wheel `ll which drives the rubber surface |29 of a Wheel 413'@ fixed on shaft .Inl il. The motor |23 thus continuously rotates the stamp roll v|00 through a frictional drive `connection such Y.that the yshaft .l Iii may be held against rotation :duringfcontinued movement of 'the motor. Until the gauging cycle is initiated and the .proper character is selected, lthe marking wheel continues :to rotateat a fairly rapid rate. The wheel isstopped by means of a locking pawl |32 pivotably mounted on .the shaft l i3 and having .an upward extension lv|313 `which has .a round hole receiving the .pin .H8 so nthat the pawl .i must move with thelink 1| |39 `under the control or" the solenoid |210. In itsnormal .positiont-he :link 'M9 is somewhat to the rightfoi the vposition of that .part -as .shown in Fig. 7 where the parts have been illustra-ted after `azpartialmovement ci the'jlink y'1| iS Thas taken place. 'This ypartial Amovement has brought :the pawl |32 into .depressions '|35 in the wheel 13|) which is fixed against rotation with respect to marking roll Nil. In :its normal position Athe pawl 1|32rs displaced clockwise from 'the position shown in Figf and Ais free of the .depressions |35 of the marking roll, it beingunderstood that fthe rstrmovement of the link H 9, traveling towards the :left asvievved in that figure, :is to apply the pawl :l .'andstopthe rotation yof :the marking rol-l while-taking 'the llost-motion that the slot I| provides betweenthe link ifll and the arms and H2. Continued movement of the link `H59 then moves "the `pawl and the vvmarking roll together in `a :downward ldirection to .apply vthe selected .character to the piston.

The selection .of the proper character correspondingito the gaugeddimensicn `of the article is fe'ected .as follows: A xedtmember -|31 on arm SH12 is .provided 4with .a .series Ior .electrical terminals |38 `correspending `vnimnber to the total number .of 'individual characters on the marking roll. While the marking `roll may have five equally spaced -characters 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 tor exam-ple, vi-t is preferred, 'in obtaining ffve selections, `to have two series of `1, 2, v3, 4 and `5 .characters `all equally spaced around the roll and in this case there will be '.tenelectrical terminals 1:33 to which .ten .diierent wires are .connected as will be more `fully explained iin connect-ion with .the electrical circuits. Each terminal has a contact |39 and :the .several terminals are adapted to lbe contacted one after .the .other with -a :rotatable wiper .contact or brush IAE .on a yielding lbrush plate |4| provided on a disk |42 which is ffxxed .to the shaft H0 so it will move with .the marking roller. The arrangement is .such that one of a series .of 4electrical circuits .is energized at the proper time in the sequence .of .the gauging .operation .after the :piston or other :article .gauged is moved into gauging position. If .the size `range of .the piston :skirt I.is classification number `22 vtor example, :then the number 2 .terminal .will be energized and as .soon as .fthe .brush |410 reaches one .of these :energized number :2 terminalsia circuit through solenoid |20 is .energized to .autor matical'ly :br-ing .the :pawl .1| 32 into locking .engagement with the .marking wheel .and .stop `the mark.- ing wheel so the number 2 character is .centrally below :the axis .of l the sha-ft :'Iil, continued 'movement Loi the solenoid .then immediately 'depressing the marking wheel and applying :the .number t? character to the piston top.. As .soon as the solenoid .12.0 is deenergized these parts :then ireturn, pawl |32 :being withdrawn by lretracting spring aille, -a .portion of Jwhich isshown in *PF-ig. .8, so .that the'manking vroll will again 'rotate in 4lcon,- tact awith Athe inking roll.

.Current is taken from the contact disk M2, see Fig. "l1, @by means of .a spring lpressed brush 1M engaging )the peripheral `surface :of this disk .and electrically connected to `the .controclling ,circuits as will be 7.presently described.

.A curved .cover v,plate 4.4.8., 'shown Figs. 2 land 8.,-is carried by the outer .ends iof the arms :i :lil and H2 andorms sa .protection :for the .electrica-.l .parts of .the marking mechanism.

The :double contact switches 5,6, 69, i0 and 151i., which :are .controlled in accordance with `,the di ameters iof the two piston pin holes are :arranged to automatically operate .inkine' hars or tub es 115.0, |354 .and |52 N.which ,are illustrated :in Figs. 2 and e, theilower ends .oi these hars carrying -inking ipa-ds |53 eneaeeable wi .theoistonfskirt .but .normally Spacedifrom the si. rt. .of ythe inking bars pivot-ably .Supportedet |54 onta mounting bracket |-55 ,1the '.bars themselves extending upwardly and having -ink chambers r5.5 at their .upper ends. The oars are hol-10W so'that the ink vis supplied .to the pads 4.5.3. These .bars 4are each controlled by a solenoid such .as the :solenoid i5?! operating 'a .isoas to :pullout-wardlyion the upper end of ytheinllzi'ng bar :and :thus `move the .pad in )the lower .end .of :the inking bar against v.the .piston skirt. The threeisolenxods |153 .that control the three bars are controlled Shy .the .pressure .cone trolledwitches fl'., alg and il so one, Ptwo .or all three of the inking pads are ,applied :to the piston skirt according ato A.whether the size of the piston-fpinholefalls in .the 1,12 or 1'3 size classication.

'The elcctricaloonnections of :the .various .aparts are shown in YEig le. fine :supply source, pref erably .110 svolt, f6.0 cycle, vis applied to starting switches .'Iffl :and ihgswitch .1150 energizing the motors 3| and |23. Switch |6| supplies current to the primary winding |62 of a transformer having a secondary winding |63 supplying regulating voltage to the primary winding |64 of another transformer which has secondary windings |65 and |66. The winding |65 supplies about 6 volts to a lead |61 connected to the filament |68 of a thyratron tube |69. The latter has a cathode connected to the lead |1| which is connected between the transformer windings |65 and |66. The control grid |12 of the tube connects through a condenser |13 to the lead |1|. The screen grid |14 connects to a potentiometer |15. The anode |16 is connected to a lead |11 and to a condenser |18 which connects the lead |1|. One end of the transformer winding |66 is connected to a lead |19. Control grid |12 connects through a resistance |80 to a connection |8| which connects through a lamp |82 and resistance |83 to the lead |19. The lead |8| is connected to a lamp series comprising lamps |84, |85, |86, |81, |88, |89, |90, |9|, |92, |93, |94, |95, |96, and |91 and across each lamp is a switch contact, as shown, these contacts being the contacts of switches 88, 69, 90, 9|, 68, 69 and 6|. The first four of these switches are responsive to the diameter of the piston ring grooves; switches 68 and 69 are responsive to the maximum and minimum limits of the two piston pin holes, while switch 6| is for the control of the maximum and minimum limits of the skirt diameter. All of these switches will be closed if all the dimensions checked fall within the desired tolerance limits controlled by these switches, thus extinguishing all of the lamps in the series due to the short circuiting action of the switches. If any of the switches are open, however, that may be noted by the operator who sees the corresponding lamp illuminated and the color of the lamp, which may be red or green for undersize or oversize conditions, shows him whether the part is too large or too small. Lamp |82 shows if any of the lamps of the series |84 to |91 -is burned out. The resistance |83 is high enough compared to the total resistance of all the lamps so that any one or all of the lamps can burn if connected across the leads |19 and |61.

Current can flow in the cathode anode circuit of tube |66 if the control grid is less negative with respect to the cathode and this will occur if any of the lamps |84 to |91 isvin circuit since that will change the voltage supply to the control grid |12 due to the connection between the control k grid |12 and the lead IBI. Thus if any one or more of the lamps |84 to |91 is illuminated due to its short circuiting switch being open, then current will flow through the lead |11, to the relay 288 and through that relay and the resistance 28| to the lead |19 and back to the transformer wind-ing |66. The relay 208 is therefore energized if any of the contacts controlled by the various switches 88, 89, 60, 9|, 68, 61 and 6| are open. When the relay 280 is energized a master light 282 is also energized to show the operator that at least one of the dimensions gauged falls outside the maximum or minimum tolerance requirements.

Theftransformer winding |63 also supplies current to a second transformer primary 284 which energizes the secondary windings 205 and 206 connected to a thyratron tube 201 having an anode 288 which supplies current when the control grid 209 is less negative with respect'to itsv cathode to energize the winding 200, the connections of the elements of the tube 201 being similar to the connections of the tube |69, two of these tubes being supplied in order to give adequate power in view of the considerable number of lamps and switches involved in the circuit. The control grid 289 of the tube 281 is connected to a lead 2|8 which connects to leads 2|| and 2|2, the latter containing a manually operable switch 2|3 which is closedy during automatic operation but open dur-ing setup adjustments. Lead 2H connects to a series of lamps 2|4', 2|5, 256, 2|1 and 2|8. Across the green lamp 2I4 is the normally 'closed switch 11 which opens only when the groove width is too narrow. Across the four red lamps 2|5, 2|6, 2|1 and 2|8 are the four normally open switches 95, any one of which is closed when a piston is in gauging position if the width of its respective groove is not too wide for the maximum tolerance permitted. Thus all these switches will normally be closed and all of these lamps short circuited if the groove width satisfies the maximum and minimum tolerance requirements. And if all of these switches are closed the cathode anode circuit of tube 281 will not conduct current. It will, however, supply current through the relay 288 if any of these switches is open to show that the part should be rejected.

The several lamps 228, 22|, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 221 and 228 are in series with the lamps 2|4 to 2|8 during setup operations with the switch 2|3 open and also in series with the indicating lamp- 238 and a resistance 23|, lamp 238 failing to illuminate if any of the various lamps in series with it are burned out at a time its respective short circuiting switch is open. The lamps 220 to 228 inclusive are individually short circuited by switches controlled by relays as will be presently described.

Current from the source supplied through the switch |6| is carried to leads 233 and 234, lead 233 having a connection to the switch contacts 235 and 236 of the switch 10 which is properly set to give the maximum and minimum range of selection of one of the piston pin holes. Lead 233 is also connected to the contacts 231 and 238 of the switch 1| which makes a corresponding determination for the other piston pin hole. The lead 233 is also connected to the contacts 239 and 248 of the switch 62 which determines the intermediate limits of the skirt diameter selection. In the same way there is a connection to the contacts 24| and 262 of the switch 63 which determines the middle limits of the skirt diameter selection. The switch contacts 235 to 242 inclusive are connected respectively to switch operating relays 245, 246, 241, 248, 248, 258, 25| and 252, the other ends of which are connected to the lead 234. If for example the number l hole diameter falls within the number 2 classification, or in other words in the middle range of acceptable size, both switches 235 and 236 will be closed and both relay windings 245 and 246 will be energized. Under these conditions, since the part falls within the overall maximum and minimum permissible tolerances, the number 1 hole maximum and minimum control switch 68 will have both of its contacts closed. On the other hand, if the number l hole is a number 1 size or selection, both contacts or" switch 68 will be closed but only one of the contacts, namely, the contact 236 of switch 18 will be closed and the relay coil 245 will not be energized.

Connected across the leads 233 and 234 is the lever operated switch 83 which is closed by the piston when the piston enters gauging position as acercarse Illy previously described'.l When this switch closest it. ei'iergizes a switch controlling relay 255- in series with' iti to'A close a switch 255er which; is delayed: in closing. The referencel numeral of. a relay winding' will be used with a lettersu-X to designate the switch or switches controlled by' that relay'.V The switch 2`55a closes after a short time relayin order to permit the moving parts tosta'biliz'e immediately following application of the piston to gauging position. Switch' 2550i is connect'ed through anormally' closedV manually operated supply switch 256 to the lead 233-2 an'd supplies current to a lead; 2357i. This lead is connected toA a switch. 258e which is closed when its controlrelay 258 is energized, switch 25'8a thus' serving as a holding switch for its relay. Thel lea-dalso connects. to switch 25811 controlled by relay'259. lThe other side of this switch' Zilla` is connected to one of the termina-l connections' i3d of the marking apparatus that stamps the numbers l, 3, 4 or 5 on the' piston corresponding to the skirt diameter size. As shown, this switch 25M connects to both of the number' 1 connectionscorresponding to thel number 1 character" on the marking device'. Switches 25211.; 25111, 2ten., 2Mb, 252D; 25th' and 2491 are connected as shown to the other terminals numberedy 2', 3; l and 5 asi shown. Thel relays 249 to' 252 which control these switches also control' switches 2li-ile,y 25de', Zittoand' 252e, connected as shown across the lamps' 2265,. 225:, 226 and 2'2 'i previously' referredto. In series with these switches 249C' to 252eA are the switches 245e to 248einclusive' controlled by the relays 245 to 248, and a switch 255e controlled by relay 2551.

The movable wiper contact or brush M0 of the marking mechanism is connected through a lead 26! to a switch 2ila controlled by relay 200' which isl energized to open the switch 2mm only if' a thyratron tube lires due to any part being outside or the maximum or minimum tolerancev requirementsof anyv ofy the various dimensions gauge'd. Switch 2529mis therefore normallyl closed.

Switch controlling relay 2:58 alsoI controlsanother switch 258D which connects lead 2233 to a relay 252 which controls time delay" switch- 262`a through which current may be supplied from the leads 233 and 263 when the switch 258D- is' closed toY energize the stamping solenoid- |20 and also" energizethey primary of a transformer T22 which may be connected to operate a: bell or gong. Switch 262e; closes promptly when. the relay 252 isenergized but is delayed on opening. Lead 263' alsov connects to the three solenoids |=5T and. switches Ziiid, 24M; 21nd and Zlild,` these sole-l noids i5?! being energized one, two or three at. a` time to move they marking rods thatv apply' l, 2i or 3 dots orI marks ony the' side of the pistonin accordance4A with the size of the pistoni pinhole.

The various switches are adjustedto the proper size rangel in. accordance with' any particular requirement. Fig. 1liv shows how the six contacts' of the three pressure operated' switchesr 61, 62 and.` 63 providev five selections of acceptable sizeA of the piston skirt diameter and how thetwo pressure operated switches. @t and 'Hlof the number one pin hole', for example, give threeacceptableselections. A pistony isf applied by the operator tothe feeding meanswhiley the feed slide is retracted but without stopping its continuous operation. The, piston isy then moved by the: arranging device i3 and carried forward to gauging position, thearranging devicef serving toautomatically position. the piston.` so that the piston.

pin hole is. generally inl line with the end of. the

12 gauging spindle 2t before the spindle' entersthat hole. Continued? movement of the* piston thus brings.- the pistonI on to the spindle and' into exact position for gauging. Entering theA gauging position, ther forward4 side of the piston closes the switch' 83' and energiz'es the timer switch relay 255', closingswit'ch 2-5Ea and thus supplying power tolth'e, lead 251. If the piston skirt diameter fal-l's with the' number 1 classication, the'switc'h1259a will' remain' closed since switch 240 will remain open. Switch: 2555 will remain open' so that none of the other terminals 2, 3, Il and 5 of. the marking devicev will beenergiz'ed. As soon as the revolving. brush M9 touches either one of the terminals nurnber lf of the marking device, current will flow from' the line side 233i', closed switches 255er and 253e, through. the brush Ill' and closed switch Edda and energize relay 25` connected' tol the other side of the line` 2%. This will. take? place how'eter, only if the switch 2Mo;

remains closed but it will remain closed if. none or thedimensions gaug'ed by the' other gauging devicesl falls either inside or outside the maximum tolerance limits'. No current flows through relat 2th under these conditions' since all thev lampsj in the two lam-p. series are' short circuited by their respectivel control-ling switches. Relay 252i isthenV energizedV as previously mentioned and@ closes: the switchy 258cv.l constituting. a' holding switch so.4 that even though the contact. made' by the brush- It@ with the contact terminal number l istemporary, the relay 258 will energize and remain energized. Energization of this relay 25%- closes switch 258e andenergizes the relay l 252, closing switchy 2.62ct and supplyingcurrent tov the stamping solenoid E29. This stamping solenoid as has been previously mentioned first stops the rotation` of the marking disk and then brings the marking disk dow-n to' apply the number 1I` character on. the top of the piston. The notches'. in the marking disk are sopositioned that they paw-l that stops rotation of the marking disk will arrange the disk sol that the propel' number is immediately below the axis of the disk. Ir' the size of the. piston' skirt isa number 2 selection then the relay 25h` will be energized, since the switch Zli at this time will be' closed. Switches 2.50ct will then be open and switch 25th closed.. Switch 2520/I will remain closed since switch 24:2 is now open. Switch 25211 willv remain open so that it is only the number 2 terminal connection of the marking device that is energized. and. thev rotating brush MU will thus close this circuit whenit-rst reaches a terminal' num'- ber 2 andA apply a number 2 marking on the piston. If. the' size range is number 3 then. switches 250m and 252m will both be open, switches 25011- and; 22b bothy being' closed sincek relaysZll and 2li-2 are both now energized due to switches 246 and 242 being closed. Switch 2'5Ia will now be4 closed andv switch 25th open due to' the, deenergization of relayV 255, switch 212| being" now open. Thus it isV only the number 3 contactstation of the marking device that is energized and which could give a circuit connection between the rotating brush to energize the stamping solenoid IZB by closing switch 2585. In a similar manner terminals 4 and 5 respectively are the only terminals energized for the number 4' and 5 classifications respectively. It should be' notedthatthevsolenoidl l2- is energized as soon asswitc'h 215th closes,.the delayed opening switch 252cremaining! closed for a substantial time after its controlling relayv 2621 is' energized andi g only'opening after.' a time delay'suinient to per'- Abe energized when the switch 258i) closes.

13 mit the stamping operation. Followingv the stamping operation, which occurs during a dwell period in the operation of the slide operating mechanism when the piston is in gauging position, the piston is retracted and as soon as it starts to leave gauging position the piston opens the lever-operated switch 83, thus deenergizing relay 255 so as to open the switch 255a immediately and deenergize the relay 258 so as to reestablish the circuit ready for the next operation.

In the gauging operation if the pin hole is within the middle limits of the acceptable size range, i. e., number 2 classification, switch 235 will be closed, energizing winding 245, closing switch 24511 so that two of the solenoids 151 will The third solenoid will not be energized since the windings 24611` and 248d are both open, switches 236 and 258 both being closed and windings 246 and 248 both'being energized. For a number 3 classification of the number 1 pin hole, winding 245 is energized closing switch 245d, winding 246 is deenergized, switch 246 being open so that switch 246` remains closed and all three solenoids will then mark three dots on the side of the'piston. One dot is applied when switch 245d remains open due to winding 2,35 remaining closed.

No mark will be applied to the piston if switch 25817 remains open or in other words if there is a failure to energize winding 258, and this occurs if the switch Zla is open for any reason and it will be so open if either one of the thyratron tubes fires and supplies current to the coil 200 because of the opening of any one of the various switches 88, 89, 90, 9|, B8, 69, 5I, 11 or 95, all of which are normally closed if the particular dimension controlled by these switches falls Within the maximum or minimum limits permissible. The operator can therefore determine by the mere fact that there is no marking on the piston that at least one of the dimensions checked fails to meet acceptable requirements, and he may note, during the gauging operation, to see which particular lamp or lamps flash on if that should occur to determine just which particular dimension fails to meet tolerance requirements. `As will be readily understood, the gauging apparatus is one capable of very rapid operation since vthe feeding cycle takes place continuously without substantial pause except for the temporary dwells at the ends of the feeding strokes to give sufficient time for the operator to drop the piston at the feeding station and suilicient time for theI gauging and marking operation to take place while the work is at the gauging station. Acceptable pistons will thus be automatically classified and marked according to their classifications so they may be assembled with cooperating parts of the proper size for which they are adapted. The automatic stamping operation is carried outvery rapidly and with no possibility of operators error such as might be obtained where the operator has to translate signal lights or gauge indications and do the marking himself. A

While the form of apparatus herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention,4 it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise form of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is dened in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A piston gauging apparatus comprising a support having a gauging station and a loading station, each at a fixed location thereon, means in said gauging station for gauging piston dimensions, guide means on said support extending rectilinearly from the loading station into said gauging station, a piston holder carried on said guide means, drive means connected to said holder for cyclically sliding it from the loading station into said gauging station and return, marking means associated with said gauging station having a series of different characters indicative of different piston dimensions, a series of switch means operatively connected to said gauging means and instantaneously responsive to the gauging means in accordance with a size dimension of the piston, and means controlled by said switch means for operating said marking means to bring a selected character into marking position and apply Jthe selected character to the piston.

2. A piston gauging apparatus comprising a support having a gauging station and a loading station, each at a fixed location thereon, means in said gauging station for gauging a number of dimensions of a piston, guide means on said support extending rectilinearly from the loading station into said gauging station, a piston holder carried on said guide means, drive means connected to said holder for cyclically moving it from the loading station into said gauging station and return, marking means associated with said gauging station having a series of different characters indicative of different ranges of a selected piston dimension, a series of switch means operably connected to said gauging means instantaneously responsive to the gauging means in accordance with the ranges of a given dimension of the piston, means controlled by said switch means for operating said marking means to bring a selected character into marking position and apply the selected character to the piston, and means operably connected tov said gauging means for rendering said marking means ineffective when a piston exceeds the desired tolerance range of any gauged dimension.

3. A piston gauging apparatus comprising a support having a gauging station and a loading station, each at a fixed location thereon, means in said gauging station for gauging piston dimensions, guide means along said support extending rectilinearly from the loading station into said gauging station, a piston holder carried on said guide means, drive means connected to said holder for cyclically moving it from the loading station into said gauging station and return, a locating abutment carried inl said gauging station for engagement with a piston upon the liolder movement into the gauging station, marking means associated with said gauging station having,r a series of different characters indicative of diierent article dimensions, a series of switch means operatively connected to said gauging means instantaneously responsive to the gauging means in accordance with a size dimension of the piston, an enabling switch including an actuating element projectingl beyond the locating abutment when a piston is not engaging the abutment and operatively connected with said switch means for initiating the gauging operation upon its contact by a piston being gauged,y and means controlled by said switch means for operating said marking means to bring a selected character into marking position and apply the selected character to the piston.

4. A piston gauging apparatus comprising a support having a gauging station and: a loading station,y each at a nxed location thereon, guide meansy along saidisupport extending rectilinearly from: the loading, station tosaid gauging station, means in saidgauging station for gauging the piston skirt diameter along a line transverse said guide means, a piston holder carried on said guide means, drive means connected to said holder for cyclically moving it from the loading station into said gauging station and return, a locating abutment carried in said gauging station for engagement with a piston upon the holder movement intothe gauging station, niarkin'g means associated with said gauging station having a series of diierent characters indicative of diierent skirt diameters, a series of switch means' operatively connected to said gauging means instantaneously responsive to the gauging means in accordance with the piston skirt diameter, an enabling switch including an actuating element projecting beyond the locating abutment when a piston is not engaging the abutment and operatively connected with said switch means for initiating the gauging operation upon its contact by a piston being gauged, and means controlled by said switch means for operating said marking means to bring a selected character into marking position and apply the selected character t0 the piston.

5. A piston gauging apparatus comprising a support having a gauging station and a loading station, means in said gauging station for gaugingV piston dimensions, a piston holder having an upwardly projected' positioning means for cooperation withl the piston pin bosses oi a piston placed thereover to automatically shift the piston to bring the pistonpin hole into substantial alignment withl the direction of holder movement, means moving the holder between the loading station and said gauging station, marking means associated with said gauging station having a series of diierent characters indicative of different article dimensions, a series of switch means' operatively connected to said gauging means instantaneously responsive to the gauging means in accordance with a size dimension of the piston, means controlled by said switch means for operating said marking means to bring a selected character into marking position and apply the selected character to the piston, said gauging means including a hole gauging spindle andmeans supporting said spindle in alignment with said guide means for entrance into the piston pin hole upon movement of the holder into the gauging station.

6. A piston gauging apparatus comprising a supportI having al gauging station and a loading stationeach at a xed location thereon, means in said gauging station for gauging piston dimensions, guide means on said support extending rectilinearly from the loading station into said gauging station, a piston holder carried on said guide means, said holder having an upwardly projected positioning means for cooperation with the piston pin bosses of a piston placed thereover to automatically shift the piston to bring the piston pin hole into substantial alignment with the direction of holder movement, drive means connected to said holder for cyclically moving it from the loading station into said gauging station and return, marking means associated with said gauging station' having a series of different characters indicative of. different article dimensions, a series of switch means. operatively' connected to said gauging means instantaneously responsive to the gauging means in accordance with a size dimension of the piston, means controlled by said switch means for operating said marking means to bring a selected character intomarking position and apply the selected character to the piston, said gauging means including a projecting hole gauging spindle, and means supporti-ngl said spindle in alignment with said guide means for entrance into the piston pin hole upon movement of the holder into the gauging station.

7. A piston gauging apparatus comprising a' support having a gauging station and a loading station, each at a fixed location thereon, means in said gauging station for gauging piston dimensions, guide means on said support extending rectilinearly from the loading station into said gauging station, a piston holder carried on said guide' means', said holder having an. upwardly projected positioning means for cooperation with the piston pin bosses of a piston placedy thereover to automatically shift the piston to bring the piston pin hole into substantial alignment with the direction of holder movement, drive means connected' to said holder for cyclically moving it from the loading station into said gauging station and return, marking means associated with said gauging station having a series of different characters indicative of difierent article dimensions, a series of switch means operatively connected to-said gauging means instantaneously responsive to the gauging means in accordance with a size dimension of the pis-- ton, and means controlled by said switchl means for operating said marking means to bring a selected ch'aracter into marking position and apply the selected character to the piston, saidgauging means including a projecting hole' gauging spindle' having a tapered outer end and fixed on said support in the gauging station, means supporting said spindle in alignment with said guide means with its axis slightly above the axis of the piston pinY hole when a piston is supported on said holder for entrance into the piston pin hole upon movement of the holder into the gauging station whereby the piston is lellevated when the spindle enters the piston pin ole.

WILLIS FAY ALLER. ANTHONY J. PAGE.

References Cited in the file of this patent AUNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date' 1,113,472 Nichols Oct. 13, 1914 1,604,475 North Oct. 26, 1926 1,652,298 Burton Dec. 13, 1927 1,850,404 Vasseur Mar. 22, 1932 1,868,615 Radford July 26, 1932 2,054,874 Wilson Sept. 22', 1936 2,331,422 Reynolds Oct. 12, 1943 2,345,732 Davies Apr. 4, 1944 2,373,941 Benning Apr. 17, 1945 2,404,750 Schmidt July 23, 1946 2,515,412 Lee July 18, 1950 

